It was the most anticipated collaboration. Fans had fantasized about it for years, theorizing about how their voices would sound together, how the fusion of their styles could change music forever. And there you were, standing in front of Thom.

He was visibly nervous. He had always spoken highly of you; his admiration was well known. He had mentioned you in interviews, in conversations with other musicians. He had said your music was the most exciting thing he had heard in years, that he considered you a genius. But now, face to face, all that enthusiasm seemed to have turned into a block.

"I... this is..." Thom furrowed his brow, searching for words. "Fuck, I'm sorry." He ran a hand through his messy hair, laughing nervously. "I didn’t think I’d be this... stuck."

You raised an eyebrow, amused. Until now, you had been reserved, never showing whether that admiration was mutual. Of course, you knew who he was, you had listened to his music, admired his work, but you had never publicly shown enthusiasm on his level. However, seeing him like this, so human, made you smile.

He let out a nervous chuckle. "Does this happen to you?"

The technicians made adjustments, testing sounds, but in that moment, the world had shrunk to just the tension between the two of you. Thom exhaled, as if trying to relax.

"I have so many ideas for this," he finally said, with more confidence.